Fleet management software

thumb|Control room staff monitoring a real-time bus tracking system in Lebanon.{{short description|Software platform for managing commercial vehicle fleets}}

'''Fleet management software''' ('''FMS''') is a software platform used for fleet management that enables businesses to manage and coordinate their commercial vehicles through a single interface. The software's purpose is to improve operational efficiency, enhance safety, and ensure regulatory compliance by processing data collected from in-vehicle telematics devices.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2024/02/22/fleet-management-four-trends-set-to-transform-the-landscape/ |title=Fleet Management: Four Trends Set To Transform The Landscape |website=Forbes |date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=September 30, 2025}}</ref>

FMS is an element of fleet digitalization, and tens of millions of commercial vehicles are managed on these platforms worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.berginsight.com/the-installed-base-of-fleet-management-systems-in-latin-america-will-reach-166-million-units-by-2029 |title=The installed base of fleet management systems in Latin America will reach 16.6 million units by 2029 |website=Berg Insight |date=September 10, 2024 |access-date=September 30, 2025}}</ref> The software integrates functions such as vehicle tracking, maintenance scheduling, and driver management.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bennett|first=Sean|title=Heavy Duty Truck Systems|edition=5|date=February 2, 2010|publisher=Delmar Cengage Learning|isbn=978-1435483828|pages=116–117}}</ref>

==Fleet management software functions==

The main function of fleet management software is to accumulate, store, process, monitor, report on and export information. Information can be imported from external sources such as gas pump processors, territorial authorities for managing vehicle registration (for example DVLA and VOSA), financial institutions, insurance databases, vehicle specification databases, mapping systems and from internal sources such as Human Resources and Finance.

===Vehicle management===

Fleet management software can manage processes, tasks and events related to all kinds of vehicles - car, trucks, earth-moving machinery, buses, forklift trucks, trailers and specialist equipment, including:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.drivingtests.co.nz/resources/fleet-management-software-functions/|title=Fleet Management Software Functions|work=DT Driver Training Resources}}</ref>

* Vehicle inventory - the number and type of vehicles * Vehicle maintenance - specific routine maintenance and scheduled maintenance, and ad hoc requirements * Licensing, registration, MOT and tax * Vehicle insurance including due dates and restrictions * Cost management and analysis, including fuel management * Vehicle disposal

===Driver management=== * Driver license management, including special provisions * Driver scoring and behavior monitoring * Logging of penalty points and infringements against a licence * Booking system for pool vehicles * Passenger safety (SOS)

===Incident management=== * Accidents and fines, plus apportioning costs to drivers * Management of stolen vehicle recovery procedures

===Tracking=== * Telematics * Real-time location data * Route planning * Logbooks and work time * Alerts

==Commonly tracked metrics== Commonly tracked metrics include: * '''Identification metrics''', such as vehicle ID, company ID, location ID, and driver ID * '''Utilization metrics''', such as mileage and fuel data (often collected by a fuel level sensor) * '''Behavioral metrics''', such as average speed and harsh acceleration * '''Trip metrics''', such as number of trips and average duration * '''Maintenance metrics''', such as maintenance costs and number of diagnostics

==Software procurement and deployment== The market for fleet management software is large and diverse, with several distinct models for how a fleet operator can procure and deploy a system. While some large corporations may develop their software in-house, most fleets acquire it from a third-party provider through one of the following channels:

* '''Direct from specialized providers:''' A business can purchase a specialized solution directly from a software company. This is common for specific needs like video telematics, where providers such as Lytx and Samsara offer dedicated camera and software systems focused on driver safety. * '''OEM platforms:''' Most modern commercial vehicle manufacturers, such as Volvo Trucks and Mercedes-Benz, offer their own factory-installed telematics platforms. In this model, the telematic control unit and the software subscription are bundled with the purchase of a new vehicle. * '''Telematics service providers (TSPs):''' This is the most common model, where a single provider offers a bundled, end-to-end solution that includes the hardware (the GPS tracking unit), the software platform, and the cellular connectivity as a complete service. Major global providers in this category include Geotab, Gurtam, and Verizon Connect.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ptolemus.com/wp-content/uploads/Commercial-Fleet-Telematics-Global-Study_Abstract_PTOLEMUS_compressed.pdf |title=Commercial Fleet Telematics Global Study |publisher=PTOLEMUS Consulting Group |date=July 2024 |access-date=September 30, 2025 |format=pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abiresearch.com/press/geotab-samsara-and-powerfleet-take-the-top-spots-in-abi-researchs-commercial-telematics-competitive-ranking |title=Geotab, Samsara, and PowerFleet Take the Top Spots in ABI Research's Commercial Telematics Competitive Ranking |website=ABI Research |date=August 25, 2023 |access-date=September 30, 2025}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Business software Category:Transportation planning Category:Automotive software Category:Fleet management